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Monday, 1 February 2010

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland The Honourable Tim Mulherin

Heat's on for anti-cancer vegetables

Overcooking some vegetables greatly reduces their anti-cancer properties, according to new Queensland research.

Eating some of them raw may also reduce their cancer-fighting compounds.

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said this new research is significant to the Q2 ambition of making Queenslanders Australia's healthiest people.

"Our researchers have been investigating the anti-cancer compounds within brassica vegetables which include broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and garden cress," Mr Mulherin said.

"They have found that these vegetables should be steamed, or stir fried for just two to four minutes or microwaved for no more than two minutes.

"That is the best way to maximise the anti-cancer properties of these particular vegetables.

"Cooking for any longer than that - or even eating them raw - greatly reduces the anti-cancer compounds.

"I am encouraging everyone to take on board this important message about how to get the most out of their vegetables," Mr Mulherin said.

Researcher David Williams from the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation has completed a PhD on this topic.

Mr Williams explained the need for light cooking to boost anti-cancer compounds.

"When vegetables such as broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and garden cress are overcooked, or eaten raw, compounds known as 'nitriles' are formed.

"Nitriles do not protect against cancer and in fact replace anti-cancer compounds.

"But cooking these vegetables on a very low heat for a short time stops the nitriles and allows the release of anti-cancer compounds."

"The exception to this rule is the brassica vegetables that are naturally hot to the taste - such as radish, mustard or watercress. They are best eaten raw to m aximise the anti-cancer compounds.

"While further research is needed to fully understand the anti-cancer capability of brassicas, results so far confirm a reduction of cancer in people with a high proportion of such vegetables in their diet.

"We hope that this type of research will help to protect Queenslanders from cancer and other diseases so they can lead longer and healthier lives."

The research has been conducted by scientists from the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation and The University of Queensland.

Fast facts

• • Historically brassica vegetables come from many parts of the world with many emanating from Asia and Europe
• • The main growing areas in Queensland include the Lockyer Valley (winter production) and the Granite Belt (Stanthorpe) and the Darling Downs (summer)
• • Broccoli production alone was valued at $23million in Queensland (2008-09)

Friday 1 January 2009

SYDNEY’S NEW YEAR’S EVE UP THERE WITH THE BEST EVER

Premier Kristina Keneally today declared Sydney’s 2009 New Year’s Eve celebrations as being amongst the best ever.

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31/01/2010

Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services The Honourable Neil Roberts

QUEENSLAND TAKES PROACTIVE APPROACH TO STREET GANGS

Street gangs will be the focus of a new Queensland Police Service project aimed at ensuring the gang-related violence seen in some overseas countries does not occur in Queensland.

Police Minister Neil Roberts and Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Stewart launched the 12-month project today.

"Queensland has learned from the experiences of other countries. We're taking action now to nip this issue in the bud before it escalates to the level seen in other areas," Mr Roberts said.

"While there is no evidence to suggest Queensland has an organised street gang network we cannot afford to miss or deny the early warning signs."

A street gang is defined as any street-orientated youth group whose involvement in illegal activity is part of its group identity.

Mr Roberts said gang-related violence in New Zealand rapidly escalated in 2006 to include 10 gang-related murders.

"This is not something we want to see happen in Queensland," he said.

"The Queensland Police Service already has a range of responses - ranging from enforcement activities through to preventative and problem solving - in place to address youth violence.

"The aim of this project is to ensure a consistent operational policing and problem solving response to the issue, and that the QPS works with other agencies in a whole-of-Government approach.

"This project is an intelligence-gathering exercise aimed at better understanding the issue and ensuring street gangs don't become a widespread problem in Queensland.

Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the Street Gang Project team reported directly to him.

"An Inspector-level officer will manage and coordinate the project with support from five senior sergeant-level regional coordinators in the South Eastern, Southern, Metropolitan South, Metropolitan North and North Coast police regions," Deputy Commissioner Stewart said.

"This project is not about targeting gatherings of young people on the street going about their lawful business," he said.

"The primary focus is on groups of people, primarily youth, displaying the elements of cohesion, organisation, criminal activity and violence - the elements apparent in gangs.

"The project will look at opportunistic crimes committed by suspected gang members such as robbery, theft and extortion."

After 12 months, this project will be evaluated by the QPS Review and Evaluation Unit, Ethical Standards Command.

"This new initiative dovetails nicely with other initiatives sponsored by the Queensland Police Service including the 'One Punch Can Kill' initiative and CRYPAR, the Coordinated Response to Young People At Risk initiative," Deputy Commissioner Stewart said.

"Police will be able to build on some of the outstanding work already done through these initiatives and work already being done in the area of street gangs."